Category Archives: Aidan

That kid…

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that my son is that kid that teachers dread having in their class.  Aidan’s behavior this year has gotten way out of control.  I’ve lost count of how many referrals and suspensions he has had since he started kindergarten.  There is obviously more to this story but I am too tired and too upset to talk about it today.  Perhaps someday soon.  The only positive note to this story is that Aidan has an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician next week.  I hope something productive comes out of that meeting.

At it again

Aidan’s at it again.  For the past three school days Aidan has come home with a note regarding his disruptive behavior and inability to follow directions…. and we are only in the second week of school!  I am annoyed to say the least.  You think by now he would have learned that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.  *SIGH*  So, for now, Aidan is banned from the computer.  I wonder how long he is going to go without the computer before he breaks down and starts shaping up?  🙁

Aidan flies

The end of summer is fast approaching.  I start back at work in two weeks and Aidan starts kindergarten in three weeks.  Aidan is making the most of the summer days he has left by not only becoming a swimming pro but also conquering his fear of jumping off a diving board.

aidanflies.jpg
Click on image to view pictures and a video

Summer fun

William seems to be a little annoyed that they last post he has been seeing for the past few weeks is about me joining Twitter.  He is irritated that I haven’t updated the blog with progress about the kids swimming or about anything fun that we have done so far.  Well SORRY!  I’ve been enjoying my summer too much to be bothered to sit in front of the computer and actually think.  It requires too much brain power and my brain went on vacation a while ago.  You know William, you have access to the blog.  You are more than welcome to write about anything your heart desires up here.  But, while we wait for your creative juices to get flowing I will do as you wish and update our audience about the happenings of the Dubel clan.

For starters, two weeks ago I enrolled the kids in swimming classes.  Aidan’s swimming abilities have a come a long way since I posted the “Can’t swim” video.  He is now capable of swimming on his own for a length of time.  Mark’s swimming on his own as well and he is remarkably good at it.  I am so proud of Mark’s accomplishment especially since he just started learning and he can swim on his own already.  According to the boys’ instructor, Aidan and Mark are his best swimmers.  Imagine that!  Caitlin had a rough start.  She was not happy the first week of class but now she is doing belly flops off the side of the pool and loving every minute in the water.  She has not grasped the concept of swimming yet – kick your legs, swing your arms, float – but she loves gliding in the water from person to person.  That girl has no fear!

Additionally, the family and I have taken the opportunity to visit a couple of museums.  We visited the AZ Museum of Science for Father’s Day.  It was part of William’s Father’s Day surprise.  The museum had a LEGO exhibit that I thought William and the kids would enjoy.  I wonder which part of his Father’s Day surprise William will remember:

  • Me sending the kids to wake him up with the pictures/cards they drew for him,
  • Being served breakfast in bed which he did not really want,
  • Receiving a LEGO gift that he already had,
  • Lunch at a stuffy tea house that he choose, or
  • The time spent at the museum. 

My guess is it is the kids running in giddy with happiness to be able to wake their dad; that is what he will remember the most.  (PS:  The kids joy in waking daddy with the pictures they drew had the added benefits of making him feel guilty for not making an effort to do anything special for me on Mother’s Day. That was unintentional yet delightful bonus for me.)  We also went to the AZ Museum of Natural History with Aidan’s friend, Shrey, and his mom.  The museums were a lot of fun – lots of quality time spent with the family and friends.

All in all I have been having a blast this summer.  Now that I have joined the work force I am appreciating all the things I took for granted when I was a SAHM, for example time spent with the kids.  Time has become a precious commodity and its something I don’t have much of when I am working and life is hectic and busy.  Right now, I’m just enjoying the easy going, carefree life doing things I love to do like cooking, baking, hanging out with the kids, shopping, etc.  Yup, life is good.  It’s sad that I only have a month left before life goes back to being crazy so I making the most of it.  

Of course I do have pictures of the fun we have been having this summer.  I’ll put them up as soon as I get motivated.  It gives you something to look forward to.

Can’t swim

Aidan has a fear of trying anything that he can’t explain or can’t control. Take swimming for example. Where as most kids his age would dive into a pool without thinking about it, Aidan refuses to get into one unless he knows he can feel the bottom of the pool if he stands up or he is latched on to someone. When Aidan was three we were able to get Aidan to swim on his own but it took a lot of work. Unfortunately, by the time Aidan did get over his fear of being in the pool summer was over. We were back to square one the next summer and here we are two years later with Aidan more terrified than ever to swim on his own and extremely stubborn to learn how to.

This video was taken last Sunday (June 07) at my MIL’s place. It was at the pinnacle of Aidan’s pigheadedness… William was deaf for the next four hours! It’s hilarious.

Enjoy.

cantswim.jpg
Click on picture to view video.

June 11, 2009 – Edited to add: I got a few responses empathizing with Aidan and his fear of swimming. FYI, after Aidan’s deafening response to the pool William and I have decided to back down. We know Aidan will learn to swim eventually. We will just wait till he is ready.

Aidan is five

Aidan celebrated his fifth birthday a little over a month ago. I’m so proud of my boy. He has come so far from the puny 4 lb 5 oz peanut that he was.

Here is a link to some samples of what he is capable of doing: Samples of Aidan’s Writing & Drawing. I must warn you that I do a lot of bragging here. So if you don’t want to read me boasting about my boy then I suggest you move on to the pictures from Aidan’s birthday party. Otherwise, enjoy. 😀

And finally, here are some pictures from Aidan’s fifth birthday. He was looking forward to it for quite a long time and the party did not fail to please. We started the celebration with his birthday cup cake and his birthday present. We then moved the festivities to his Montessori where he was the prince for the day. We concluded the merriment with a bash at home which was attended by his family and friends… and the Lego Man. Enjoy the pictures: Aidan’s Fifth Birthday.

aidanat5.jpg
Click on image to view pictures.